We had to do it. Our customers demanded it. The market demanded it. Just think IC-3 Classic "on steroids"…

The
idea to improve on our 3 time Industry Award Winning IC-3 Classic
(including Stereophile Recommended Component, 2014-2017) came from a
respected audio component designer who purchased a set of IC-3’s, and
had taken a liking to the performance characteristics of the cable. So
much so, he decided to "push the envelope" and experiment with upgrading
the ends with different high-performance connector parts &
audiophile grade solders.

After an interesting conversation
about his results one afternoon, the idea for a hot-rodded IC-3 was
born. With Mk II and SE versions of components being staples in the
hi-fi industry, we decided to launch a new cable design.

After
conducting numerous tests with the finest quality high-performance audio
plugs and solders on the market, and putting the ensuing prototypes in
the hands of trustworthy beta testers, we settled on an IC-3SE model
that combines a stunning level of performance with artisan, hand-crafted
build quality, along with a great price…it’s all here.

IC-3SE boasts a remarkably refined, high
end performance, offering across the board improvements to our Classic
cables in key areas, and competes favorably with any high-performance
audio interconnect.

Sound Connections Xhadow Precision RCA may be the finest hi-fi RCA plug
in the world. Precision, purity, simplicity and elegance are the
hallmarks of Xhadow products, and this RCA embodies those sentiments
with little room for equivocation. The main barrel and rear-nut are
lathed from pure aluminum rod-stock, then anodized in "Xhadow Gray" for a
durable and non-conductive finish. Into this barrel assembly fits the
contact assembly. Each assembly is machined from OFC pure copper and
silver plated, includes a machined Teflon dielectric, and an OFC pure
copper machined contact that has been silver-plated. Each contact allows
the termination of wire to be completed via solder, set-screw, or both.
This allows for a tremendous amount of flexibility while providing a
perfect contact interface with the wires. The fit of these connectors is
smooth but very strong, with a tremendous amount of contact pressure to
ensure perfect and consistent signal passage with a minimum of contact
resistance.

Sound Connections Xhadow Precision XLR

Sleek,
sexy, precision machine-art. Sound Connections Xhadow Precision XLR is
simply put, the finest performance audio XLR plug in the world. It is
designed with respect for the audiophile perspective: Precision, purity,
simplicity and elegance. The main barrel and rear-nut are again lathed
from pure aluminum rod-stock, then anodized in "Xhadow Gray" for a
durable and non-conductive finish. This assembly houses an internal
strain relief that is machined from durable brass. Into a barrel
assembly that fits the "Gender-Modules" - either male or female plugs.
Each one has an outer passive shell machined from brass and mirror
plated, a machined Teflon dielectric, and pure copper machined contacts
that have been silver-plated. Each contact allows the termination of
wire to be completed via solder, set-screw, or both. The fit of these
connectors is smooth but very strong, with a tremendous amount of
contact pressure to again ensure perfect and consistent signal passage
with a minimum of contact resistance.

Each Gender-Module is
engraved with the "XHADOW" name along the top arc of the shell’s front
border, indicating top-orientation. The fit of these connectors is
smooth but very strong, with a tremendous amount of contact pressure to
ensure perfect and consistent signal passage with a minimum of contact
resistance. The end result is an XLR plug that meets audiophile
standards...finally! DH Labs High Copper Alloy Ultimate RCA

Virtually
all of today's entry level RCA Connectors used by top cable
manufacturers are made from brass. There are a number of different brass
alloys, generally featuring a combination of copper (around 60%) and
varying amounts of zinc, lead, and even tin. The presence of these other
metals greatly reduces the manufacturing cost by making the material
much easier to machine and process.

From an electrical
standpoint, these other metals are considered impurities that
drastically reduce the electrical conductivity of the resulting alloy.
For example, the conductivity of brass alloys is only about 26% that of
pure copper. Electric and sound engineers agree that this near 75% loss
of conductivity of a connector directly affects the overall performance
of a terminated audio cable.

While most manufacturers ignore
this situation and focus on marketing, DH Labs engineers have consulted
top metallurgists in the field to develop and refine the "ultimate
connector alloy". Years of research have led to the introduction of this
exclusive "High Copper Alloy". This material is made in the United
States to ensure the highest possible quality, and is composed of more
than 99% pure copper, with a conductivity rating that is at the top of
the industry. Trace amounts of two other non-magnetic metals are added
to provide the adequate hardness and strength required for an RCA Plug
to hold up over time. The plating process has been customized in order
to maximize signal transfer. Simply stated, this is one of the finest
high-performance audio connectors on the market today!

** About the two RCA choices **

The
silver plated copper Xhadow Precision RCA plugs exhibit a touch more of
the "last ounce" of resolution, and sound a touch more "airy" in the
treble and midrange, while the gold plated copper DH Labs Ultimate RCA
offers a warmer / mellower sounding perspective.

Either plug
choice shows excellent high-performance audio characteristics across the
board, and both are nicely detailed, smooth, full-bodied, with a big 3D
soundstage, extremely refined / musical, and the list goes on....

Application
differences are as follows. The DH Labs Ultimate RCA plugs are a better
choice for more narrowly spaced sockets, while the Xhadow Reference RCA
plugs have a wider than average barrel diameter which requires wider
than average spacing of your component’s RCA sockets to insure a proper
fit.

We do now offer a "small" version of the Xhadow RCA, which offers a universal fit with more narrowly spaced sockets.

Please consult Audio Art Cable for more details, and to discuss which plug would be the best choice for your system.. Technical Specifications:

What’s Being Said About IC-3SE:...the
[IC-3SE] interconnect cables instantly improved the sonic relevance of
everything….Holy Crap....I cannot believe what I am hearing….phenomenal
realism and clarity.....I thought my system sounded good before, but my
goodness gracious I am stunned by the sonic presence and accuracy…I am
not joking here. The Xhadow interconnects are the real deal and Mr. Tony
T. is giddy beyond belief. I have not heard this type of luscious,
crystal, realism on any of my buddies systems that can compare to my
setup with the Audio Art [IC-3SE]. Your cables are a stone cold bargain
and people need to know!...I am just full of joy at the moment and
needed to let you know that I feel your cable design has touched upon
the holy grail of sonic pleasure-ness....is that a word? It’s like a
valve opened and pure water is flowing over me, it’s like a revelation. I
am rambling at this point, but I have demo tested at least 10 different
interconnect cables from price points of $39.00 to $1500.00 a pair and
yours by far put them all to shame. I can’t imagine the experience I
will write about once my Audio Art SC-5SE speaker cables get into my
system....HOLD ON! Tony T., Bloomington, ILI
have 2 expensive tube mono-block amplifiers which I had to move. They
were originally hooked up with a pair of XXXX ICs. I’ve always loved the
rich organic sound they impart to the music and have been very pleased
with them in general. I would have gladly purchased another pair,
but.. a 6 meter pair would have cost around $2,400. Just a bit too much.
I realized I would have to settle for something less expensive. I
actually had much reservation while purchasing Audio Art ICs for obvious
reasons. They would be 4 times longer than the XXXX and they were
significantly cheaper. Not a great combination. My greatest hope was
that they would sound at least as good as the XXXX cables. As you can
see, I really wasn’t expecting any improvement. As it turns out they do
not sound as good as the XXXX, they sound better!! There is more
extension in both the high and low ends of the spectrum, and my beloved
rich midrange is still intact. I’m also hearing more detail and textures
than ever before. I can hardly believe it. I’m also old enough (50) to
realize that sometimes things can be more appealing simply because
they’re different. But that’s not the case here. The quality of sound is
undeniably improved. I’m quite certain that this is the last pair of
ICs I’ll ever buy. They sound that good. I think one of the reviews I
read described your cables as "giant killers". That guy nailed it on the
head. You’ve created a cable at a price / performance ratio which is
almost unbelievable. Quite an accomplishment. I can’t wait to get a pair
of your power cables. Hopefully soon. My compliments. David M., Baton Rouge, LA The
IC-3SE went into the system upon receiving them and right away, they
were awesome sounding. Clearly, this is one of the best interconnects I
have ever had in my system regardless of stature or price. I just
testing some new IC’s that are coming out soon..To say it wasn’t even
close is an understatement! The SE’s are simply my reference to which I
can confidently judge all other IC’s...I don’t care how little they cost
in relation to other reference cables...your IC-3SE’s are just
frighteningly good stuff, period!! The IC-3 SE have a very transparent,
open, highly resolving and weighty sound to their credit. Imaging and
staging are excellent...Whatever it is you’re doing..you’re doing it
right! …a cable of tremendous capabilities that can shine in any
reference system. One that just exudes quality and craftsmanship of the
highest standard without asking a King’s ransom for the price! Ken H., Alpharetta, GA[The
IC-3SE] was instantly superior in every way imaginable, to a $550.00
XXXX IC I had been using. The XXXX gave me about 90% of a $3,000 Siltech
I had heard in my system. Everything is so much about synergy[of
course], but the Audio Art IC-3SE, was quieter…I heard much deeper into
the mixes. More dynamics, more ease along with all the new
detail...longer fade outs...more emotional impact...singers were just
more "there".....very nice and the bass simply went deeper with more
detail and drums had real weight and impact...yet depth was over all
enhanced…and the good stuff is better yet......I have moved the IC to
the pre, power combo and all of the above is heard on every source….just
lovely. You should hear the sheer wild driving bass energy on "This Is
Us" from Mark Knopfler and Emmy Lou Harris’ "All the Roadrunning"
CD....just jaw dropping.....I can’t believe how good this system
sounds....Congrats on a very fine product, If I can sell the XXXX I’ll
have to get another Audio Art IC-3SE. Cheers Lloyd S., Nova Scotia, CanadaThe
IC-3SE cables arrived today. My first impression is very favorable. The
first thing I noticed is that the bass is more detailed and has more
weight. The other is just how smooth and yet detailed the midrange is.
Your cables have eliminated bit of grunge & distortion from the
signal and make everything seem less fatiguing. I have some friends that
want to hear your cables and we get together once a month, so hopefully
I can make some more converts. I see more cables from you in my future.
I currently have the IC-3SE Ultimate RCA cable going from my Audio
Analogue Paganini CD player to my Audio Mirror TP-61 preamp. I plan to
move the cable to my Bellari phono amp to preamp to see what difference
it might make. I have a Rega P3/24 with Elys II cart. Your SC-5 bi-wire
cables are going from my Audio Mirror 20 watt SET amp to my Von
Schweikert VR-4s. The system has never sounded better. Thanks and best
regards... Chris B., Bloomington, IL Beautiful!
I just wanted to share my thoughts on the new IC-3SE. Right out of the
bag, I started hearing new things on the bass line --- like the noise
floor had just been dropped. I listen to a lot of live music, and the
clarity of the audience is amazing! The detail and positioning of claps,
coughs, screams and laughter is stunning. What a great purchase! Matt K., Mountain View, CA...it’s
a blow to the ego of those with deep pockets to admit their $2500
interconnects were smoked by a $239 pair of IC-3SEs. It’s a bitter pill
to swallow, but … "high end" cable manufacturers make their living
making you believe more is indeed, "more". The IC-3SE has a full bodied,
liquid midrange that gives a natural, effortless quality to vocals and
instruments, as well as giving the music weight and rhythm. I want to
say it is a touch on the warm side of neutral, because it’s so liquid,
but it’s not. [There is] a "sense of warmth" creating a much more
realistic and involving experience, without sacrificing detail. The
IC-3SE is open and extended on the top end, without any hint of glare or
brightness. The sound was consistently open, effortless, and involving.
It even made bad recordings sound better. Together with the SC-5, the
IC-3SE has well defined, deep bass, and dynamics in spades. Kent O., Honolulu, HI